Drugs used in constipation

Movicol

Dose: Bowel prep < 10 years or < 35kg 1/2 sachet every 3 hours for 2 doses and then review > 10 years or >35kg 1 sachet every 3 hours for 2 doses and then review.

For weekend therapy Currently there is no information regarding this. Paediatric gastroenterology are currently studying this. A general rule is <3yrs 1/4 sachet sat/sun 3-8 yrs 1/2 sachet sat/sun >8 years 1 sachet sat/sun

Counselling:

Side effects: Abdominal distension and pain, nausea and fluid/electrolyte shifts.

Contra-Indications: Intestinal perforation or obstruction due to structural or functional disorder of the gut wall, ileus, SEVERE inflammatory conditions of the intestinal tract such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis (seek senior advice) and toxic megacolon. Interactions: No clinical interactions have been reported.

Notes: Has an advantage over Klean-Prep in that less volume is required for administration. Each sachet should be dissolved in 125ml of water. The content of electrolyte ions per sachet when made up to 125ml of solution is as follows: Na+ 8mmol, K+ 0.68mmol, Cl- 6.6mmol and bicarbonate 2mmol.